Ottawa Dog Blog

I just got a nice note from Liz over at Ottawa Dog Blog and she's graciously included one of my wiener dog onesie and pant sets in her monthly Etsy post for July. Ottawa Dog Blog is a resource for people in Ottawa about everything to do with dogs. It features dogs in Ottawa as well as dog stores, parks, breeders, shelters and offers general information about training, behaviours, outstanding products and more.

Car troubles

Rarely is there a silver lining to car maintenance dilemmas but I am pleased to report I was able to replace an ailing battery this morning before it officially died and left me stranded (well, I didn't actually replace the battery myself but...). I came and went several times this morning and each time I started the car it seemed to be struggling more and more. Lucky for me the dealership was able to get me in and out the door with a new battery in less than an hour.

Not your mother's pottery barn

I am totally digging the new look and feel of Pottery Barn. They're taking some design risks and I'd say the result is a fresher, edgier, more modern aesthetic. These bold colors and designs make me want to spice up my home decor.


A little bit of animal print can go a long way but I think this Zebra duvet cover looks sophisticated and clean next to these crisp, white monogrammed linens.

At just $25 this Coco pillow cover is a designerly steal!

Lovely paintings

I really love this mixed media piece from artist Kim Miskowicz called Arm Rose Farm. Kim's inventory of paintings is available on Etsy and I've been drooling over her work this afternoon.

Flutterpony

I found this print on Etsy this morning from artist Betsy at Foundling. It's a print of an original collage made from a scrap of vintage fabric and illustrations from a vintage children's science textbook-- I love it. Her shop is primarily jewelry and other accessories but I hope she keeps on collaging. This may be my next Etsy purchase.

Betsy also makes these lovely poppy corsages, hair pins, and other accessories (her product shots are beautiful, too):

Team Griffin

Last night Alison and I went to see Kathy Griffin and she was hee-lare-ious. We had such a blast. We went to Romeo's on Barton Springs for dinner first and then it was off to the new Long Center for the show. The Long Center is amazing... super accessible for parking & we were able to quickly navigate the crowd and make our way to our seats in the way, way, way upper balcony (last row). From where we were seated Kathy looked like little more than a red-headed spec on stage but she delivered some seriously large laughs. I wish we would have been able to see her better because I am sure she had some insane facial gestures to illustrate her jokes.


I was so exhausted when I got home last night that I went straight to bed. This of course meant I had to rise bright and early to get my work done and all orders into the mail by 5. I am pleased to report that I got everything out the door by 4 and cranked out a new tote bag:


I posted earlier this week about my new shabby chic floral onesie and I love the design so much, I decided to turn it into a tote. I ordered this new tote with light blue handles and the blue is so much more gorgeous than it looked in the online photos. It's almost more of a minty blue and it matches perfectly the aqua fabric I've cut for the center of the flowers. I used buttons on the tote and I think they're a nice little addition to the design. The only problem with this floral motif is that it takes FOREVER to assemble and sew. There's so much layering and I'm still perfecting my straight stitch on all of the little curves. It's just so cute that I keep thinking of other things I can create with the appliquéd flowers. Stay tuned!

Catching up

It's a busy Thursday night around the Hodgson household. Andy is off recording some studio tracks with a local band and I'm catching up on my ever-growing pile of Etsy orders. Did lots of prep work while I watched Ugly Betty and I'm now sewing as much as I can before I start to fall asleep. I just re-discovered the new Death Cab for Cutie album that I purchased on iTunes when it came out a couple of months ago (and then forgot about) and I must say, I really like it.

I'm going to see Kathy Griffin at our new performing arts center tomorrow night with my friend Alison so there'll be no time for sewing before Saturday. Must get back to the grind if I have any hope of getting up on time tomorrow morning.

63 days and counting

My sister Kathleen and I are going to Ireland on Sept. 24th... which is a mere 63 days away. We purchased our plane tickets months ago but prior to this morning that's about as far as we'd gotten in the planning process. We're flying into Dublin and we just reserved our hotel for the first three days - The Jurys Inn Christchurch:

We're going to create our very own travel blog so our friends and family can keep up with us back home. It should be an interesting adventure to say the least (especially the whole driving on the other side of the road part - yikes!).

Shabby never looked so chic

I've been working on some new onesie designs lately and I have to say...I am in love with this new shabby chic floral bouquet. I've been testing this design for weeks since it's sewn a little differently than my dog appliqués. I didn't use the zig-zag stitchbecause it's hard to navigate around the small, rounded edges (and I want the flowers to fray slightly on the raw edges). I've definitely had to practice my straight stitch!


I cut each piece of the appliqué with pinking shears to reduce the fraying of the edge (this helps reduce those long, mangy threads) and pre-washed them all. I used a little interfacing on the back of each piece which helped to hold everything in place as I built the flowers. It took a few iterations to get the layering down, but I am so pleased with the end result. I've washed my test onesie four or five times now and it still looks like new.

I just sold my first set last night so I'll be creating the coordinating appliquéd pants.

Ode to Websy Daisy

It seems only fitting that my first official blog post should be dedicated to Jenny at Websy Daisy for all of her hard work on my fabulous new site. Jenny has been so great to work with and I really appreciate her patience with my countless revisions and quick turn-around. Jenny was referred to me by Hayley at Austin Craft-o-Rama and I am so glad she was able to work with me.

Thanks, Jenny, for all of your hard work!